Le Paradis is a triumph of storytelling with superb acting from all the caste, excellent cinematography, and an enchanting soundtrack.
The characters of Joe and William are brought to life by the talented Khalil Ben Gharbia and Julien De Saint Jean who have wonderful chemistry together. Joe and William's yearning is palpable throughout the film, which is a testament to the actor's ability.
The story is set in a juvenile delinquents reform centre, where a group of boys are managed by a small team of staff who run the their day to day activities. The struggles that lead one to become a juvenile delinquent is breathtakingly told when Joe performs his rap composition. Ben Gharbia's emotional performance in this scene really brought home the tragedy of his life, his anger at being from a broken home, his feelings of alienation arising from being of an ethnic minority, and his pain at how hopeless and bleak his future seems.
Meanwhile De Saint Jean perfectly embodies his character William who, despite his reputation and appearance, is remarkably affectionate, sensitive, talented and has a rich inner world where his imagination takes flight, as evident through his drawings. His fondness for Joe immediately becomes evident when he chooses him as the subject of his black box photography project. This scene includes extended shots with gorgeous cinematography, of the characters gazing intently at each other, which speaks volumes about their budding emotions. Later, William's silent tears, shed in solitude, emphatically convey his intense loneliness and sorrow in the suffocating setting of the reform centre.
A really special sentiment expressed beautifully throughout the movie is that of yearning. We witness William and Joe, full of hopeless yearning, constantly trying to reach for each other through the wall that separates their rooms. Joe plays William a love song through the wall which is heart-wrenchingly romantic. Then, they try to communicate by knocking, before finally happily discovering that their voice can be heard on the other side. William, who has a fascination for snakes as they are believed to be guardians of paradise according to viking legends, goes so far as to draw snakes all over the wall that separates him from Joe, subtly stating that Joe is his paradise. All these scenes are heartbreaking and convey the depth of their feelings and challenges in ways that leave the viewer is awe.
Another wonderful thing about this movie is that Joe and William's intimacy is shown rather than spoken; William hides his radio for Joe in a place he knows Joe will find it when Joe's own radio is confiscated, Joe gets a tattoo from William and it's the snake protecting paradise design which means so much to William, they steal away moments when they can and sit together in knowing silence when they can't. The screenplay is simply superb and says what it needs to without adding anything superfluous.
The music is heavenly and fits perfectly with every scene. I especially loved the enchanting song a little past the halfway point, which was a rendition of Soltane Ghalbha (King of Hearts, Aref) in another language. It played to a beautiful and romantic sequence of William and Joe growing closer which was really moving. Congratulations and well done Bachar Mar-Khalifé on his excellent soundtrack.
A special mention must be made for the secondary characters who played their roles with heart and realism. Well done!
Overall Le Paradis is a beautiful film that will make your heart ache for its brave, unlikely lovers.
